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Sustainability? There’s an app for that.

Concordia engineering grad Qinze Yang’s mobile-based tool rewards users for being environmentally conscious
December 12, 2016
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By Salim Valji


Qinze Yang, BEng 13, a native of China, says he developed his passion for sustainability after arriving in Montreal in 2008 to study at Concordia.

“Knowledge of sustainability truly becomes fascinating once it can be applied with its full potential in a smart way and in the correct place,” Yang says.

That knowledge led Yang and two partners, Travis Huang and Brian Tian, to create a start-up, Engineer a Renewable, Sustainable and Innovative Future (ERSIF) this year. The enterprise’s first development was WeCan.

The WeCan team The WeCan team (from left): Brian Tian, Qinze Yang, BEng 13, and Travis Huang. | All photos courtesy of Qinze Yang

The app — which was launched in Guangzhou, China — is a fun, interactive rewards system to encourage people to recycle and live sustainable lifestyles.

Users get points for activities such as volunteering with the elderly, taking public transit and jogging, and then can redeem the points for rewards like health supplements, small digital devices and energy-efficient products.

Each task has a different point reward. Once the user hits a certain number of points, they can request a prize. Another feature is the ability to compete against other users.

“Our goal was to encourage people in China to live in a more sustainable and innovative manner while, at the same time, rewarding them for the daily efforts and achievements with commercial incentives,” he says.

He notes that the ERSIF team chose Guangzhou because of both its population — approximately 11 million — and well-documented environmental issues.

“I anticipate users to gradually build up a healthy living style, be active with charitable events and activities, plus maintain the active atmosphere of social communication and interaction.”

WeCan logo WeCan is a mobile-based tool that incentivises recycling.

Drawn in by the program’s strong reputation, Yang came to Concordia to study building engineering before switching to civil engineering, both in the Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering.

He appreciated the Canadian university experience, which was more relaxed than that of his native China.

“Compared to China, the pressure of passing the course or receiving a good grade no longer depended solely on my final exam grade, but based on long-term effort such as assignments, quizzes and mid-terms,” Yang says.

He adds that Concordia’s environment helped him learn English in a non-rushed and relaxed manner. Montreal — recently ranked one of the world’s best student cities — was another positive influence on him.

“Montreal was a city filled with passion and fun,” he says. “It was a city where I could slow down and concentrate on what I want to do.”

Following his graduation from Concordia, Yang worked in Toronto for an engineering consulting firm. He also completed his graduate studies in engineering at the University of Toronto, again earning academic accolades.

He anticipates receiving his Professional Engineer designation by the end of 2016.

Yang emphasizes that sustainability is more than just recycling old pop cans. “Being sustainable is a lifestyle,” he says.

He recommends to others: “Contribute to those who are in need of help. Support and engage in public welfare and goodness.”

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